Pbocess fob allaying dust in fuels



Reiuued Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES v Re. 17,566

PATENT ori ice JOEL R. ianLxnan'or-cnmns'ron, wnsr I GINm' rnocnss FOB.ALLAYING over Iurums Io Drawing. Original No. 1,592,510, dated July 1:,1m.- Serial m. 86,982, filed-February s, 1926. 7 Application for reissueflled July 12, 1928. Serial lio. 292,18. a

in fuels and preventing disintegration; and a new and eflicient solutionwhich may be cheaply manufactured for allayingdust in fuel, for examplecoal, as well as preventing 1o slacking so that the fuel may be placedin bins and handled without the creation of objectionable dust. Thefreezing points of this solution are sufiiciently low so that it is notlikel tofreeze in the coldest weather; and thus uels so treated areguarded against the difliculty of freezing solidly together. This latterfea-V ture is of cardinal importance'also because it will be apparentthat the use of water for allaying dust is quite objectionable incoldweather in thatthe fuel freezes to such an extent as to render itpractically impossible to handle. Furthermore, water is not sufli-'ciently capillaceous under all conditions :7 thoroughly to moisten thefuel while an important characteristic of this invention is thatpercolation of this solution to allparts of the mass is effected.

Coal is often dried by artificial heat or relaan tively low huminity.The use of some forms of solutions effects a granulation or caking ofthe dust. Also the particles of dust lose their capacity foraccumulating static-electricity and its attendant effects, Spontaneouscombustion, slacking and disintegration, and

the evils in general encountered where solidcarbonaceous fuels'arehandled in exposure to air may accordingly be avoidedthrough theadvantageous operation of my invention Fuel treated by my solution willbecome quickly moist by deliqliescent action when exposed-to atmosphericair of normal humidities.

For an example of one solution which I have employed and found admirablyuseful for the purpose of allaying dust and preventing slacking inconnection with the well knownNew River coals, the following ingredientsare used for one ton of the fuel; 5 to 6 gallons of the entiresolutionmade up by adding approximately three pounds of the followingcompound per gallon of water:

A further example ofingredients for a solution used in the practice ofthe invention, for one tonof coal is:

v I Percent Calcium chloride fl 22 Magnesium chloride 75Sulphurous'aci'd 3 The freezing point of this solution has been found tobe approximately 20 F. below zero so that it is apparent'that thesolution may be used without liability' of freezing except in weather.which is extremely cold and for such condition the freezingpoint may befurther lowered by varyingithe Specific "gravity of the solution. Thespecific gravity of the solution abovegiven is about 1.2. Under someconditions itmay be desirable to. reverse the proportions of calciumchloride and mag-. nesium chloride, as for example with Pocahontascoal.a i v Magnesium chloride and calcium chloride :of low grade is usedbecause they are relao tively cheap at the present time. It is to beunderstood that other hygroscopic and deliquescent chemicals may besubstituted for calcium or magnesium chloride with equally advantageous-results.' The low freezing point of these chemicals renders them verysatisfactory for the purpose. 1

The sodium chloride increases the-capillary action of the solutionandassis'ts percolation,

thereofto all parts of the mass of coal. The no magnesium chlorideprincipally functions to add viscosityto the solution, and lower thefreezing point; Sulphurous acid may be included in the solution,for-increasing the capillary action or causing thesolution to adhere toandmoisten the particlesvof'certain fuels. Ithas further been found-thatin, dealing with very dry fuels the specific gravity of the solutionshould be in the region Ll, and

also when very wet fuels are tobe treated the specific gravity of thesolution should be about 1.4 to obtain the best results.

This solution may be applied to the fuel in any desired manner. It maybe sprayed or 5 sprinkled over the fuel, or the fuel may be immersed inthe solution. I i

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to theingredients and proportions hereinbe fore mentioned because this demscription is given by way of illustration and e not of limitation,although it is preferable that a solution having a low freezing point beemployed. Accordingly the terms mois- "hire-attracting substance anddeliquescent inorganic compound as used herein are to be understood asconnoting any of the several ingredients or mixtures of ingredientsabove referred to, such as a mixture of calcium and magnesium chloridesin any proportion; either calcium or magnesium chloride alone; or otherhygroscopic and deliquescent chemicals or mixtures thereof.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A process of treating bituminous coal for allayingdust and preventing disintegration, which resides in subjecting the coalto the action of magnesium chloride and sulphurous acid in solution, 2.A process of treating bituminous coal i for allaying dust and preventingdisintegration, which resides in subjecting the coal to the action of adeliquescent inorganic com' pound in an aqueous solution having an acidreaction." 3. A process of treating'commercial sizes of carbonaceousfuel for handling in exposure to atmospheric conditions, whichcompri-sesapplying to such fuel and maintaining there- I with durin handling adeliques'cent' mois- 40 tum-attracting substance which lowers thefreezing point of water. y T

4. A solution for treating bituminous coal for allaying dust andpreventing disintegration consisting of calcium chloride, sodiumchloride, sulphurous acid. and magnesium chloride. i r

5. The process of treating commercial sizes of solid carbonaceous fuelfor allaying dust N and preventing disintegration, which comprisesapplying to and maintaining therein during handling and storageacomposition having a low freezing point and containing a deliquescentinorganic compound. I

Signed by me, this 11th day of July, 1928. I JOEL R. BELKNAP.

